Dinner with Naz's Siblings

Naz, the kids and I had dinner with Naz's siblings last night at Chicken Hartz in Berjaya Mall. Just to catch up with each other after Raya and planning our family trip to Johor after Raya Haji.

Anyway, Chicken Hartz has always been one of our meeting destinations. Price is OK, good food (not always though) and whole load of varieties.

My mother's death anniversary...

When I started blogging, I vowed to myself, I should and would only blog about the things I like, love and enjoy. Bad memories are hard to be forgotten but the least I could and should do is not to write them down and remind myself. So if you noticed I have so far been writing only the good stuff. Not that my life is perfect but I just choose not talk about them - all the unpleasant memories.

Today is exceptional. I am going to talk about someone whom I miss terribly (until it hurts). My late mother....

Exactly 28 years ago, when I was 4, my mother Saodah Binti Mohamad, passed away in a tragic car accident at 36 KM Lebuhraya Seremban-Kuala Lumpur, 12:30pm. Never a day has passed in my life that I do not think about her. Thinking about how it would be to have a mother by my side. What it would be like if she was around for my wedding, pregnancies, Hari Raya etc. I still remember her, but only vaguely.

That is why, motherhood is now so important to me. I want my children to have as much love and attention they can get from a mother. Something which I have always wanted and will never get. I would like to make sure that Munira sees me as her best friend and not just her Ibu...

Semoga Mama senantiasa dicucuri rahmat dan berbahagia disampingNya. Amin.

My new babies...Black and Brown!

My best friend Win, came back from the U.S. on September 30 and brought me back so many gifts. I was and am still very grateful but on the other hand I feel bad that she wouldn't want me to pay back for the handbags I wanted. Thanks Win. I can never repay your kindness and generosity.

I feel extremely lucky this year to have owned 3 sets of Liz Clairborne handbags and purses. It's like I am in a dream. I used to look at my sis who owns like dozens and dozens of branded handbags (she is lucky because she has a sister-in-law who stays in the U.S. and will come home once in a while and bring her dozens of branded handbags like Guess, Aetna, Liz Clairborne etc) and wondered when will I ever get to purchase any other than Bonia.

Well I guess, it's just my rezeki this year. Syukur Alhamdulillah, I don't think I have to worry about getting new ones for the next 2 years at least...So here are my new pride and beauty...





Win got me these two too. Aren't they lovely? Yes they are. Sayang nak pakai woh!



These two necklaces are from Jessica Parker's range. Win bought them from Wallmart. Cool eh?

More on my cooking...

What I have prepared for the past three days:

Friday (November 23)

Tandoori Chicken Kebabs

Salad Meshoui - obtained this particular recipe from Chef Wan's Sedapnyaaa....recipe book.

Saturday (November 24)

It was Pasar Malam day but I tried this for minum petang. The kids loved them so much. They are called Kansas City Fritters (from Great Recipes from Around the World by Sarah Gates). Tak sangka, the Mat Sallehs also have their own version of cekodok.. Among the ingredients that make them different from our cekodok - sweet corns, grated zucchini or also known as courgette and meatloaf. The fritters are normally served with salsa that's made of tomatoes, red pepper and lemon juice.

Sunday (November 25)

Today, I feel that my cooking has gone one level higher. This is because, for the first time in my life, I actually used Saffron in my cooking. Here is how saffron looks like and how it is being sold at the Chow Kit Market. That one small case is only a teaspoon and I had to pay RM5/- for it.

Anyway, this recipe which requires saffron is called Nasi Paella Valenciana. Some of the other herbs/spices used to prepare this recipe are thymes, bay and paprika. The rice is cooked with crabs, prawns, red fish fillet, squids and lalas.

2007 Long School Holiday Activity #1

On Sunday, November 18, the kids were so longing for an outdoor activity as they were already in bed for a number of days due to fever. I thought that it would be nice to bring them to the park for some frsh air and at the same time to feed the ducks, swans and fishes at the Taman Tasik Perdana . As expected, it was really hard for us to find a spot to park as it was the first weekend of the long school holidays. Anyway, when we were there we were disappointed to discover that there are not many fishes left in the lake, come to think of it, they are getting lesser and lesser every time we go...*sad :(

Munira's Awards Day

It was a perfect day except that Munira was not 100% well. She had quite a bit of temperature the night before and was actually not in school on Thursday. She threw up a bit before we left for her school and when I asked her whether she was well enough to go, she said YES! She wouldn't want to miss it for anything! Thankfully, she got better when she met up with her friends and started chatting. Here are some of the photos that were taken prior, during and after the ceremony. In case if you're wondering, I did not create a scene afterall. I was very calm and poised but smiling from one ear to another. I was also extremely elated and excited! Who wouldn't right? Hooray for Munira!!!

Syukur Alhamdulillah...

I don't mean to brag about my kids but I can't help it. Yesterday, Munira came home from school with her report card and an invitation card. What were we invited to? Invitation to the Award of Excellence Day at her school which is scheduled tomorrow. Why are we invited? Because Munira is first in her class and according to her report card, she is also first in the whole of Standard One! It is so unbelievable kan. As parents, of course Naz and I would like our children to be achievers tapi we never hoped or expected Munira to achieve this much. Once again, Syukur Alhmadulillah.

Anyway, I seriously can't wait to attend this special function at her school tomorrow. I hope I would not over react when I see her going up the stage, receiving her award. Takut I tercry ke terjerit ke, that can be embarrassing kan. What should I wear? Rasa macam mak pengantin pulak... hehe. Have to control myself...hehe!

Oh, I will take lotsa photos and will upload them tomorrow...tak sabo mak cik!

Last of day of Raya 2007

Naz's friends came to visit last Saturday and one of them who happened to be engaged to a pretty gal from Sarawak, brought us some kek lapis, of course from Sarawak. My goodness, they were the prettiest and most unique kek lapis I have ever seen in my entire life. Look for yourself.

Not only are they pretty, they taste really good too! They are definitely not cheap but it is not a surprise as they are extremely hard to make. Anyway, if you are interested to know, they cost approximately RM40 per roll.

Mind you, the ones that look like sliced watermelons really taste like watermelons. I cannot tell for sure whether it is only psychological or they really do taste like watermelons. Anyway, cool stuff!